About Our School

History of Our School

The site for Maury Elementary School was originally seven acres of farm land, purchased in 1927 as a site for a school to serve "small children west of the railroad tracks." Maury Elementary School has undergone many changes since the original building was constructed in 1929 at a cost of $35,000. It consisted of six classrooms and an auditorium, with a design enabling future additions as needed.

In 1941 three more rooms were added to the back of the school. Two large wings were added to each side of the main building in 1949. In 1961 another wing was added to the right side of the building. The gymnasium was added in 1971, and the library has undergone renovation several times.

A major renovation began in the summer of 2004 and was completed during the summer of 2005. It included a new media center, additional classroom space, teacher work areas, new office space for the principal and secretaries, and a more secure front entrance.

A Statement from Interim Superintendent Lois F. Berlin

8/18/2017

In light of recent incidents in Charlottesville, Va., ACPS feels the need to acknowledge and reflect on the origin and namesake of Matthew Maury Elementary School.

We are critically aware that there is a pressing need in our schools, our community and our nation to find ways to talk about race constructively and respectfully. One of the ways that we can move forward is by acknowledging our own history, while refusing to allow that history to define who we currently are as a school division in the present.

Matthew Maury, known as the "Father of Modern Oceanography and Naval Meteorology" for his contributions to charting winds and ocean currents, including ocean lanes for passing ships at sea, was also a member of the Confederate army. He helped acquire a ship for the Confederacy while advocating to end the war in America.

With students from more than 80 countries in ACPS, it is no secret that ACPS values diversity. Our ability to make our students and their families feel welcome and safe in our schools is of utmost importance, especially as we get ready to start a new school year. We will always act to ensure that our values are upheld in accordance with our policies.

With this in mind, the School Board issued a message regarding the principles of inclusiveness and equity earlier this school year. In it they reaffirmed our commitment to fostering an atmosphere of inclusiveness and prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, ancestry, disability, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation. They also reaffirmed their work to continue building bridges of understanding and mutual respect among the diverse members of our community and their opposition to intolerance. Clearly, our School Board and community believe that education for all is a defining promise of American democracy. You can read this message in full in ACPS Express.

Please note that this is just the beginning of the conversation regarding Matthew Maury Elementary School. We will work with teachers, and staff to continue to work through this issue this school year.

Thank you for your continued support of ACPS as we work to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.